What You Can Discover Visiting to Erebuni Fortress

Erebuni Fortress also known as Arin Berd is a fortified city from the ancient kingdom of Urartu, located in what is present-day Yerevan, Armenia. It was one of several fortresses built along the northern Urartu border and was one of the most important political, economic and cultural centers of the vast kingdom. The name Yerevan itself is derived from Erebuni.

Erebuni was founded by King Argishti I (r. ca. 785–753 B.C.) in 782 B.C. It was built on top of a hill called Arin Berd overlooking the Arax! River Valley to serve as a military stronghold to protect the kingdom's northern borders.

Erebuni Museum of History in Yerevan

The Erebuni Historical & Archeological Culture-Preserve was founded on May 24, 1968 according to Resolution 225, passed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

It was created to scientifically validate finds discovered in the three famous archaeological sites of Arin Berd, Karmir Blur and Shengavit, situated in the administrative boundaries of Yerevan. The Culture-Preserve’s main interest is in documenting the history of the establishment of Yerevan. It operates according to its charter to promote scientific information, educational and cultural activity.

Arin Berd as a stategic position overlooking Ararat(n1)

The site of Erebuni Fortress was located atop the 65 m tall hill of Arin Berd as a stategic position overlooking the Ararat plain and the main roads leading to the citadel. It also overlooked cramped Urartian town made up of residences below at the foot of the hill.

The main entrance to the fortresswas located at the more gently sloped southeastern site of the hill. It led to the central yard of the citadel. Ceremonies held by the personal guards of Argishti I and guards of the fortress garrison were held here. In the southwest portion of the yard was a temple of the god Khaldi.

Excavations were carried out at Erebuni in 1952

Early excavations began during the nineteenth century while more systematic excavations were carried out at Erebuni in 1952, under the joint sponsorship of the Armenian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography and the Pushkin Museum's Board for the Preservation and Restoration of Architectural Monuments.

Dozens of Urartian and Achaemenian artifacts, such as pottery, earthenware, belt-buckles, bracelets, beads, drinking vessels, helmets, arrows and silver coins, were also uncovered...

Teishebaini was built by Rusa II in 7th century BC

The city of Teishebaini was built by Rusa II in the first half of the 7th century BC to protect the eastern borders of Urartu from the barbaric Cimmerians and Scythians.

Within the city was a governors palace that contained a hundred and twenty rooms spreading across more than ten acres, and citadel named the Citadel of Teisheba after the Urartian god of war. The construction of the city, palace, and the citadel were not fully finished until the reign of Rusa III, some 50 years later.

The researcher of ‘’Erebuni’’ Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve, Mikayel Badalyan, was hosted at the center of Mediterranean Archaeology of Poland and Warsaw Archaeology Institute from January 31 to February 7, 2014 with A. Piliposyan, the deputy director of “Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Museum Reservations” of Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia and A. Zakyan, the head of ‘’ Metsamor’’ Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve.

Today “Erebuni” Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve summarized the working year and celebrated the 45th anniversary of Erebuni museum in company of many guests and colleagues.

The event entitled as “Erebuni 45 years later” gathered here the intelligent, heritage guards, the officials from Yerevan Municipality and Ministry of Culture, honorable citizens of Yerevan, all the ex-directors and the staff of the museum.

Tomorrow on December 13, ‘’Erebuni’’ Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve is concluding the year by the event entitled as “Erebuni 45 Years Later”. Presenting to our society 45 years ago, Erebuni museum and site became a remarkable episode in the history of Armenia and Yerevan, available both for the learned and wide society.

Today, on August 30, 2013 at “Erebuni" Historiacal & Archaeological Museum-Reserve was put a photo exhibition introducing the heritage and the unique beauty of Rome, the contemporary city of Yerevan, towards the European Heritage Days in Armenia.

This year Armenia will join the European Heritage Days for the 10th times, confirming its membership to the European culture family. Since 1991 this initiative, held in all over Europe, has been appreciated as an expected event by millions of Europeans. Due to this, the national heritage is regarded as common wealth of Europe, breaking down the barriers connected with the difference of cultures and languages. Since then, European council and European Committee jointly declare the launch of the European Heritage Days.

Achaemenid period

Silver Medalions

Ancient wall-paintings

Souvenirs' shop in Museum

In Erebuni museum we have a gifts' and souvenirs' shop inside where you can buy different type of souvenirs relating to a particular topic.

Guest Book

The site of Erebuni Fortress was located atop the 65 m tall hill of Arin Berd as a stategic position overlooking the Ararat plain and the main roads leading to the citadel. It also overlooked cramped Urartian town made up of residences below at the foot of the hill.

The main entrance to the fortresswas located at the more gently sloped southeastern site of the hill. It led to the central yard of the citadel. Ceremonies held by the personal guards of Argishti I and guards of the fortress garrison were held here.